ROUNDING off a busy month of sales, the focus at Goresbridge now turns to a three-day sale of sport horses. Carrying a significantly increased catalogue, the renewal has been extended to three full days, and will, for the second time this year, include a special sector for performing Connemara ponies.
In keeping with recent trends, the older horses are likely to sell well, and among those on offer are horses with a wealth of experience both in competition or in the hunting field.
It is the younger age group that really stands out however, with contemporary pedigrees coming to the fore. Numerous well-related three and four-year-olds catch the eye, and notable are siblings to last weekend’s eventing Nations Cup winning Clever Trick and Geoff Curran’s HOYS hero DHF Alliance.
Others to catch the eye include close maternal relations to the Olympic show jumper MHS Going Global, as well as fellow Olympian Tullabeg Flamenco.
While the stallion list is more diverse than usual, it comes as no surprise to see Coolballyshan Stud’s recently deceased Vivant Van de Heffinick emerge as the front-runner. With 20 lots forward, he holds a clear advantage over fellow stud resident Lagans OBOS Quality (12) and last year’s leader HHS Cornet (9). Not for the first time, the locally based Pointilliste (6) flies the thoroughbred flag, while Emperor Augustus has five.
Ponies
Lot 4 Maam Boy, reg 5 yo b g 13.2hh (breeding not recorded). A real all-rounder, the fully warranted Maam Boy is the winner of 12 SJI points to date. A quiet, easy pony, he has also hunted with the Duhallow hounds for two seasons and is capable of excelling in any discipline.
Lot 6 Shirsheen Misty, reg 6 yo gr m 148cm by Ballycapple Diamond Cruise out of Glenmore Jennys Owen (Abbeyleix Owen). Carrying an attractive mix of sport horse and Connemara breeding, this smart pony is the winner of 16 SJI points. One of many carrying the fully warranted tag, he is eligible for the six/seven-year-old classes next year and has the makings of a top jumping or event pony.
Lot 25 Tonys Tina, reg 5 yo ro m 136cm (breeding unrecorded). Described as a real confidence-giver, Tonys Tina has hunted with the Leitrim Harriers and Sligo Harriers for two seasons. A very easy pony to do, she is happy to cross any country, and will go at the front or at the rear of the field.
Lot 33 Brookes Lady, reg 8 yo ro m 13hh (breeding not recorded). This much-loved, very versatile pony has been there and done it all. Carrying a great CV, she was the individual winner of the All-Ireland pony club hunter trial championship last year (under 12) at Tattersalls, where she was also placed third in the teams in 2022. She has numerous event, minimus and inter schools placings and is sadly for sale as outgrown.
Connemaras
Lot 69 Corker Stormy Larry, reg 5 yo gr g 14.2hh by Mountain Cadcade out of Ceide Collette (Seoigeach). A smart and fully warranted young pony, Larry won the EI 90 (T) at Clyda last month. Regularly scoring sub-30 dressage marks, he does every phase in a snaffle, and is likely to make a top event pony. In addition, he has hunted with Duhallow Foxhounds for two seasons.
Lot 74 Ashwood Prince, reg 13 yo gr g 148cm by Agharanny Minstrel out of Dacko (Moy Johnnys Pride). Carrying class one breeding on both sides of the pedigree, this experienced individual is the winner of 33 SJI points. He has been a member of the Irish junior Tetrathlon squad for the past two years, has evented, and under Dressage Ireland rules has scored highly in prelim and novice classes. He has a 148cm lifetime measurement
Lot 92 Esker Tallyho Oliver, reg 5 yo dn g 148cm by Ardbear Oliver out of Tallyho Millie (Monaghanstown Fionn). One for the future, this pony was crowned the Eventing Ireland Western Region champion at the five/six-year-old final.
Older competition horses
Lot 108 Cole Burn, reg 5 yo b g 168cm by Chacoon Blue out of Its Vera (Harley). Slowly produced, this gelding competed lightly last year to qualify for his age finals at Cavan. He now has a career total of 19 SJI points and is currently competing at 1.20m level with a young rider.
Lot 129 The King Cobra, reg 5 yo b g 170cm by Cobra 18 out of Zoe’s Zing (Carrabawn View). Another exciting prospect for the future, this gelding qualified for the Prestige Millstreet Ruby Final at the Millstreet International earlier this summer. The winner of 21 SJI points, he is currently competing in 1.10m-1.20m classes.
Lot 134 Thistledown Delboy, reg 5 yo b g 170cm by Watar out of Two T’Three Weeks (Silver Patriarch). One for the traditionalists, this warranted gelding was the reserve champion at the RDS young event horse championship last year, and is an event winner at unaffiliated level.
Lot 152 Lough Scur Hero, reg 5 yo b g 168cm by Ganesh Hero Z out of Lough Scur Sardiamond (Shannondale Sarco). As a four-year-old, Lough Scur Hero qualified for the RDS, producing double clear rounds throughout. This year, he was similarly double clear in the five-year-old Masters at Balmoral, where he qualified for the finals. He has since progressed to compete at 1.20m level to win 35 SJI points under John Mulligan.
Hunters
Lot 103 Headfort, reg 9 yo b g 17.2hh by Mackney Clover out of Mackney Rockrimmon (Rockrimmon Silver Diamond). Guaranteed an easy ride and described as an exceptional hunter, this big gelding has followed the Tara Harriers, the Meath and Ballymacad Foxhounds for four seasons.
Lot 141 Lough George, reg 6 yo b g 16.2hh by Loughehoe Guy out of Diamond Emblem (Master Imp). Traditionally-bred, this gelding has hunted for the past two seasons, and competed in unaffiliated eventing and show jumping.
Four-Year-Olds
Lot 269 Lux de Anne, reg 4 yo gr f 16.3hh by Corporal VDL out of Ballinfull Clover Luz (Clover Babe). This home-bred filly qualified for the RDS loose jumping championship last year and was placed fourth in the HSI loose jumping class. She is a good mover, very light over the ground and has a big jump.
Lot 288 Edenagor Trump, reg 4 yo gr g 17hh by Democrat out of Edenagor Enya (Loughehoe Guy). Bought as a foal and a half-brother to last year’s sale topper, Edenagor Trump was shown in hand at the RDS as a three-year-old. Now under saddle, he was a finalist at the Mullingar Rising Star show jumping Series, and has accumulated 6 SJI points.
Lot 301 DHF Vector, reg 4 yo b g 16.3hh by Untouchable 27 out of Rosie Bee (Lux Z). Described as a prime candidate for the show jumping age classes, this well-related gelding is a half-brother to the Geoff Curran ridden DHF Alliance (1.50m) and to the smart five-year-old Rock Angelo (Aiden O’Brien). The former won a major class at HOYS only last week, while the latter competed in the DAFM age finals this year. Adding further depth, his dam was a grade A performer (1.40m).
Lot 302 Castleroche Chacko, reg 4 yo b g 16.2hh by Parco out of ISF La Bella Creciente (Mermus R). Fully warranted, Chacko has competed in classes up to 1.10m to win 18 SJI points to date. Well-related, the second dam was the grand prix mare Irish Independent Anabella (Cian O’Connor).
Three-Year-Olds
Lot 361 Deise Accapella, reg 3 yo b f 166cm by Ulysses M2S out of Wendy V (Indoctro). From a stout performance family, this filly is out of a half-sister to Veni Vidi Vici (CSIO5* 1.60m) and Fitalis V (CSIYH1* 1.30m). The family has produced numerous performance horses.
Lot 368 Unnamed, reg 3 yo b g 16.2hh by Cornetini out of Castleblaney Batty (Conduit). Possibly one for the showing fraternity, this gelding was crowned champion young horse at Tattersalls (2024) and placed second at the RDS from his only two outings.
Lot 374 Unnamed, reg 3 yo b g 16.1hh by Diamant de Heraldik out of Cornacassa Ferro (Creevagh Ferro). Interestingly bred by a son of Diamant de Semilly going back to Heraldik, this gelding is a sibling to the Cathal Daniels-ridden jumper and Mullingar Grand Prix winner Cappog Tomy (1.50m).
Lot 399 Newmarket Legacy, reg 3 yo b g 168cm by Newmarket Venture out of Newmarket Dato Two (Aldato). From a top-class eventing family, this gelding is a full-brother to Newmarket Prospect (CCI4*), to the Le Lion d’Angers medallist SRS Adventure (CCIO4*) ridden by Sophie Richards and to Newmarket Glider (CCI4*). Adding further depth, the dam is a sister to Newmarket Vasco One, who competed to CCI5* level under British rider Willa Newton.
Lot 406 Unnamed, reg 3 yo dn f 16hh by Emperor Augustus out of Tullabeg Elsa (Tullabeg Fusion). By the thoroughbred event sire and with future paddock potential, this filly is out of a full-sister to the Olympic event horse Tullabeg Flamenco (Sam Watson).
Lot 442 Carrigshawn Marius, reg 3 yo b g 16.2hh by HHS Cornet out of Carrigshawn Hazel (Quantino). Home-bred by the vendor, the dam is a sibling to Carrigshawn Vendi Royale (1.50m) ridden by Francis Connors.
Lot 473 Kilcandra Doll, reg 3 yo b f 16hh by Orestus out of Bonnie Dolly (Bonnie Prince). From a top-class eventing family, this home-bred filly is a half-sister to the winning Boekelo Nations Cup event mare Kilcandra Bonnie Reward (Clever Trick), as well as to the German Nations Cup horse Kilcandra Ocean View (CCI4*) ridden by former Olympic gold medallist Michael Jung.
Lot 483 GCS Contender, reg 3 yo b g 170cm by Conthargos out of GCS Rio (Quidam Junior). Bred in the purple, GCS Contender is out of a full-sister to Ireland’s Olympic jumper MHS Going Global and to MHS Everything. Adding further world-class depth, the dam is also half-sister to the dam of fellow Olympian, Kilkenny.
Lot 529 Unnamed, reg 3 yo gr f 16.1hh by Chelis HC Z out of Sillot Sea Beauty (Cruising). Featuring the influential Cruising as the dam’s sire, this filly is a sibling to LCC Saphire (1.55m) and from the family of Ross Mount Blue News (CCI4*).
Michael Donohoe and Sons
Address: Goresbridge, Co. Kilkenny.
Telephone: 0599775145 Fax 0599775541
Email: info@goresbridge.com
Web: www.irishhorse.com
Date: 22/23/24th October 2024
Time: 10.30am.
Tuesday: Ponies (62) Connemara ponies (32), older horses.
Wednesday: Older horses and four-year-olds.
Thursday: Three-year-olds.
Total lots: 524 plus supplementary catalogue.
Last year’s top lot: Mrs Ivy English’s Edenager Ned, four-year-old gelding by Scrapman (dam by Loughehoe Guy) €26,000.